Studying
Consuming God's Word With Your Mind
Studying the Scriptures equips us to be proactive in our faith, teaching and passing on to others what we have learned.
Studying Scripture allows us to learn the truth about who our God is and who we are. God’s Word tells us that our God is Love (1 John 4:16), our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6), All Powerful (Jeremiah 32:17,27), Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11), our Savior (Luke 2:11), our Teacher (Matthew 28:18), our Healer (Isaiah 53:5), our Strength (Philippians 4:13), our Peace (Ephesians 2:14), and so much more. The Bible also tells us that we are loved by God (John 3:16), forgiven (Colossians 1:14), called with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9), created in His image (Romans 8:29), living in His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13), free from fear (1 John 4:18), led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14), laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9), and so much more. This is just a small sample of the promises found in Scripture. For a more extensive list, please visit Blue Letter Bible.
Along with studying Scripture on our own, it’s also important to study together with a small group. I’ve seen firsthand how this type of learning environment is so powerful. It allows the group members to teach and learn from one another and to grow in their spiritual maturity and walk with Christ. This setting also fosters accountability between members to be proactive in their faith.
The more we study Scripture, the better equipped we are to answer the call to action Jesus has given us, “Go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19). It also builds in us a strong desire and passion to do just that, and to do all that Christ has commanded us to do: love one another, bear one another’s burdens, have a servant heart, use our spiritual gifts, pray in all circumstances, seek the Kingdom of God above all else, focus on what is eternal not temporal, be obedient to what God calls us to do, live as an others-centered person, and so much more. Doing all of this is far from easy, but it’s not supposed to be. When we discipline ourselves to follow God’s Law and when we walk through the suffering of difficult circumstances and seasons of life, we are molded, refined, and able to draw closer to God in order to become more Christ-like. We are better able to reflect the perfect love of Jesus through our lives and spread the message of the Gospel.
Pure purpose and joy and freedom is only found through God and His Word!
Divinely Driven Ministry
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Ezra 7:10